Mark Oldershaw wasn't the only Burloak Canoe Club member to ace his pre-Olympic test last weekend. Racing at the England venue that will host Olympic paddling events next year, Adam van Koeverden earned a silver medal at the London Canoe Sprint Invitational. Van Koeverden, a three-time Olympic medallist, was second in the men's K-1 (kayaking singles) 1,000-metre event. The Loyola grad reached the finish line in 3:26.161. Aaron Rublee also represented Burloak at the meet, finishing sev- enth in the mens C-1 (canoeing f singles) 200m with a time o 0:42.653. The London races are the last slated for the year and come on the heels of Burloak winning its third consecutive Canadian Sprint CanoeKayak Championships title last month in Welland. The Canadian national team, which includes Oldershaw, van Koeverden and Rublee, is coached by former Burloak head coach Scott Oldershaw. 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But while it was overshadowed by Adam van Koeverden and Mallorie Nicholson's victories at worlds, the top-five showing cer- tainly established Oldershaw as a medal contender for next years Olympics. And just in case anyone hadnt taken notice of his perfor- mance at worlds, the 28-year-old Burloak Canoe Club paddler reminded everyone what he is capable of by leading wire to wire to win Fridays London Canoe Sprint Invitational. The race not only served as a test of next years Olympic venue but also had sported a field that included newly-crowned world champion Attila Vajda of Hungary. It was a perfect way to end the season, Oldershaw said by e-mail from London. I decided to just go for it from the start and it worked way better than I could have hoped. I did a personal-best time (3:51.013), which I was really happy about, but the best part was hearing O Canada (while) stand- ing on top of the podium at the Olympic course. It was a pretty amazing feeling. There have been a lot of good feelings in a hectic two weeks, starting with securing an Olympic berth for Canada in the C-1 (canoe singles) 1,000m at worlds. Though Oldershaw will still have to earn the right to fill that spot next year, he has every intention of being the person to paddle for Canada next year in London. He drove that point home at the national champion- ships in Welland just days after the worlds wrapped up. Oldershaw won nine of the 10 races he was entered in, with only a second-place finish in the C-2 1,000m preventing a sweep, to lead the Burloak Canoe Club to its third straight national championship. Thats definitely my best nationals so far, and Im pretty sure more gold than anyone has ever won at one nationals, Oldershaw said. I knew I had a chance in every race, but its rare that everything goes right at one regatta, which it seemed to in Welland. Of his nine victories, the two Oldershaw enjoyed the most were the two in which he never put a paddle in the water. He served as the cox for the senior womens war canoe, which won its third straight national title, and the juvenile girls (18-and-under), who continued a long run of success. Its such a thrilling experience to win with 14 other people, and every year Im amazed at how fast our girls are, Oldershaw said. Our juvenile boat was really impressive. We had a lot of younger girls in the boat, and didnt have the size of the other crews, but somehow we pulled off a close one against the Rideau Club. That f makes it four out o the last five years weve won that, which Im happy about because a lot of the girls change from year to year, showing how strong our club really is. And now with his victory at the Olympic test, Oldershaw has shown how strong he can be and is look- ing forward to doing it again the next time he races in London. Its given me even more moti- vation for the upcoming year, Oldershaw said. Ive never felt more motivated and focused, or believed that I can get on the Olympic podium more than I do now, and Im really excited for the challenge. Herb Garbutt can be followed on Twitter at @Herbgarbutt l h f l h h lO ympic ope u s ows is potentia The best part was hearing O Canada (while) standing on top of the podium at the Olympic course. It was a pretty amazing feeling. Burloak Canoe Club paddler Adam Oldershaw fSilver or van Koeverden at pre-Olympic test